MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

CODE COURSE NAME CATEGORY L T P CREDIT

MET292 CONTINUUM MECHANICS VAC 3 1 0 4

Preamble:

At the end of the course the students will have a comprehensive, systematic and integrated
knowledge of the principles of continuum mechanics. They be conversant with physical laws
and analytical tools such as tensor calculus required to formulate and solve continuum
problems. Also they have an in-depth understanding of the common principles which
underlie the disciplines of solid mechanics and fluid mechanics – hitherto considered mostly
separate. The course equip the students to pursue further specialized areas of study
such as aeroelasticity, nonlinear mechanics, biomechanics etc. which are essentially based
on continuum mechanics.

Prerequisite:

MECHANICS OF SOLIDS

Course Outcomes:

After the completion of the course the student will be able to

CO 1 Make use of the concepts of tensor formalism for practical applications

CO 2 Apply deformation and strain concepts for practical situations

CO 3 Identify stresses acting on components subjected to complex loads

CO 4 Make use of fundamental laws for problem formulations and mathematical

modeling

CO 5 Develop constitutive relations and solve 2 D elasticity problems

Mapping of course outcomes with program outcomes

PO PO 2 PO 3 PO 4 PO 5 PO 6 PO 7 PO 8 PO 9 PO10 PO PO
1 11 12
CO 1 3 2 2 3
CO 2 3 3 3 2 1 2 3
CO 3 3 3 3 2 1 2 3
CO 4 3 2 3
CO 5 3 3 3 2 1 2 3
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Assessment Pattern

Bloom’s Category Continuous Assessment End Semester Examination

Tests
1 2
Remember 10 10 10
Understand 20 20 20
Apply 20 20 70
Analyse
Evaluate
Create

Mark distribution

Total CIE ESE ESE Duration

Marks

150 50 100 3 hours

Continuous Internal Evaluation Pattern:

Attendance : 10 marks
Continuous Assessment Test (2 numbers) : 25 marks
Assignment/Quiz/Course project : 15 marks

End Semester Examination Pattern:

There will be two parts; Part A and Part B. Part A contain 10 questions with 2 questions from each
module, having 3 marks for each question. Students should answer all questions. Part B contains 2
questions from each module of which student should answer any one. Each question can have
maximum 2 sub-divisions and carry 14 marks.

COURSE LEVEL ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS

Course Outcome 1

1. With the help of mathematical derivations obtain the relation between circulation of
a vector field per unit area around a point in a plane and curl of the vector.
2. Prove the vector identity 𝑢𝑢 × (𝑣𝑣 × 𝑤𝑤) = (𝑢𝑢. 𝑤𝑤)𝑣𝑣 − (𝑢𝑢. 𝑣𝑣)𝑤𝑤
3. Show that a) 𝛿𝛿3𝑝𝑝 𝑣𝑣𝑝𝑝 = 𝑣𝑣3 b) 𝛿𝛿3𝑖𝑖 𝐴𝐴𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 = 𝐴𝐴𝑗𝑗3
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Course Outcome 2

1. Discuss the physical interpretations of components of Linearized strain tensor.

2. Given the displacement components 𝑢𝑢1 = 𝑘𝑘𝑥𝑥2 2 , 𝑢𝑢2 = 0, 𝑢𝑢3 = 0, 𝑘𝑘 = 10−4 , obtain
infinitesimal strain tensor E
3. Given 𝑥𝑥1 = 𝑋𝑋1 + 2𝑋𝑋2 , 𝑥𝑥2 = 𝑋𝑋2 , 𝑥𝑥3 = 𝑋𝑋3 , obtain the right Cauchy Green
deformation tensor, right stretch tensor and rotation tensor.

Course Outcome 3

1. Given a continuum, where the stress state is known at one point and is represented
1 1 0
by the Cauchy stress tensor components �𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 � = �1 1 0�Pa, find the principal
0 0 2
stresses and principal directions.
2. The stress state at one point is represented by the Cauchy stress components
𝜎𝜎 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝒃𝒃𝜎𝜎
�𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 � = �𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 𝜎𝜎 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 � , where 𝑎𝑎, 𝑏𝑏, 𝑐𝑐 constants are and 𝜎𝜎 is the value of the
𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝑐𝑐𝑐𝑐 𝜎𝜎
stress. Determine the constants such that the traction vector on the octahedral
plane is zero.
3. Find the maximum principal stress, maximum shear stress and their orientations for
6 9 0
the state of stress given �𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 � = �9 −6 0� 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
0 0 3
Course Outcome 4

1. Explain Reynold’s Transport Theorem

2. Prove the symmetry of stress using principle of conservation of angular momentum.
3. Obtain the Eulerian form of continuity equation

Course Outcome 5

1. From linear elastic constitutive relation for isotropic materials, deduce the strain
1+𝜈𝜈 𝜈𝜈
stress relation 𝜀𝜀𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = 𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 − 𝜎𝜎𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝛿𝛿𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖
𝐸𝐸 𝐸𝐸
2. Formulate the stress compatibility equation for plain strain problems in the absence
of body force.
3. Derive the stress compatibility equation for a plain stress problem with body
force. State the condition under which it becomes the biharmonic equation.
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MODEL QUESTION PAPER
APJ ABDUL KALAM TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
IV SEMESTER [Link] DEGREE EXAMINATION
Course Code : MET292
Course Name : CONTINUUM MECHANICS

PART A

Each question carries three marks

1. Differentiate between vector space and inner product space.

2. Prove div (A x B) = curl A.B – curl B.A, using indicial notation.
3. Differentiate between Lagrangian and Eulerian description of fluid motion.
4. The Lagrangian coordinate of a material particle is (𝑥𝑥(𝑡𝑡), 𝑦𝑦(𝑡𝑡), 𝑧𝑧(𝑡𝑡)). Obtain the
mathematical expression for the component of acceleration along the direction
of motion of the material particle.
5. Derive an equation for octahedral shear stress in terms of the stress invariants.
5 6 7
6. The Cauchy stress tensor at a point P is given 𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = �6 8 9� GPa. Obtain the
7 9 2
deviatoric and volumetric parts of the tensor.
7. Deduce the equilibrium equations from linear momentum principle.
8. Express the local and global form of Reynold’s Transport Theorem.
9. Write down the stress strain relations of a linear elastic isotropic material.
10. Write down the radial and tangential components of stress in terms of Airy’s
stress function.

PART B
Answer one full question from each module.

MODULE 1

11 a) Evaluate using indicial notation (8)

i. 𝐮𝐮 × (𝐯𝐯 × 𝐰𝐰)
ii. (𝐮𝐮𝐮𝐮) ∶ (𝐰𝐰𝐰𝐰)
b) Expand using summation convention (6)
iii. 𝜌𝜌𝑣𝑣̇ 𝑖𝑖 = 𝜌𝜌𝑏𝑏𝑖𝑖 + 𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖,𝑗𝑗
iv. 𝑒𝑒′𝑖𝑖 = 𝑄𝑄𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑚
OR
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𝐴𝐴. 𝐷𝐷 𝐴𝐴. 𝐸𝐸 𝐴𝐴. 𝐹𝐹

12 a) Prove that [𝐴𝐴 𝐵𝐵 𝐶𝐶 ][𝐷𝐷 𝐸𝐸 𝐹𝐹 ] = �𝐵𝐵. 𝐷𝐷 𝐵𝐵. 𝐸𝐸 𝐵𝐵. 𝐹𝐹 �, from there show that
𝐶𝐶. 𝐷𝐷 𝐶𝐶. 𝐸𝐸 𝐶𝐶. 𝐹𝐹

𝛿𝛿𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝛿𝛿𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝛿𝛿𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖

𝑒𝑒𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑒𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟 = � 𝛿𝛿𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 𝛿𝛿𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 𝛿𝛿𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 � (9)
𝛿𝛿𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝛿𝛿𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘 𝛿𝛿𝑘𝑘𝑘𝑘
b) Establish the identity 𝑒𝑒𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝑒𝑒𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 = 𝛿𝛿𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝛿𝛿𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 − 𝛿𝛿𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 𝛿𝛿𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 (5)

MODULE 2

13 a) Given the motion of a body 𝑥𝑥𝑖𝑖 = 𝑋𝑋𝑖𝑖 + 0.2𝑡𝑡𝑋𝑋2 𝛿𝛿1𝑖𝑖 , for a temperature field given by
𝜃𝜃 = 2𝑥𝑥1 + (𝑥𝑥 2 )2 , find the material description of temperature and the rate of
change of temperature of a particle at time t=0 , which was at the place (0,1,0).
(8)
b) Derive compatibility equation (6)
OR

√3 1 0
14 a) Given that [𝐹𝐹] = � 0 2 0� , determine the left and right stretch tensors. (14)
0 0 1
b) Explain infinitesimal deformation theory.
c) Obtain an expression for Linearized strain.

MODULE 3

15 a) The stress matrix in MPa when refereed to axes 𝑃𝑃𝑥𝑥1 𝑥𝑥2 𝑥𝑥3 is (14)
3 10 0
�𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 � = �−10 0 30 �
0 30 −27
Determine
i. the principal stresses
ii. principal planes
iii. maximum shear stress
iv. Octahedral normal and shear stress
OR
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16 a) The principal stresses of stress at a point are 𝜎𝜎1 , 𝜎𝜎2 and 𝜎𝜎3 with 𝜎𝜎1 > 𝜎𝜎2 > 𝜎𝜎3 .
Now derive equations of the direction cosines of a plane passing through this
point, which is subjected to normal and shear stress 𝜎𝜎𝑛𝑛 and 𝜏𝜏𝑛𝑛 respectively. (6)
b) For the stress state given
12 9 0
�𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 � = � 9 −12 0� 𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀𝑀
0 0 6

where the Cartesian coordinate variables 𝑋𝑋𝑖𝑖 are in meters and the unit of stress are
MPa. Determine the principal stresses and principal directions of stress at the
point 𝑋𝑋 = 𝑒𝑒1 + 2𝑒𝑒2 + 3𝑒𝑒3 . (8)

MODULE 4

17 a) Derive the differential form of conservation of energy. (4)

b) What is localization theorem? Write down its relevance in the derivation of
differential equations. (6)
c) Derive the Cauchy’s equation of motion using the conservation of linear
momentum principle (4)
OR
18 a) Prove the symmetry of stress 𝜎𝜎𝑖𝑖𝑖𝑖 = 𝜎𝜎𝑗𝑗𝑗𝑗 using principle of conservation of angular
momentum. (8)
b) Obtain the Eulerian form of continuity equation. (6)

MODULE 5

19 a)Show that for an isotropic elastic medium (6)

𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 𝐸𝐸
a. 𝜆𝜆 = b) 𝜇𝜇 =
(1+𝜈𝜈)(1−2𝜈𝜈) 2(1+𝜈𝜈)
b. Determine the radial stress and tangential stress developed in a thick
cylinder of internal radius 'a' and external radius 'b' subjected internal
pressure 𝑃𝑃𝑖𝑖 and external pressure 𝑃𝑃𝑜𝑜 using stress function method. (8)

OR
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20 Consider a special stress function having the form 𝜙𝜙 = 𝐵𝐵2 𝑥𝑥1 𝑥𝑥2 + 𝐷𝐷4 𝑥𝑥1 𝑥𝑥3 . Show
that this stress function ma)'- be adapted to solve for the stresses in an end-
loaded cantilever beam as shown in the sketch. Assume the body forces are zero
for this problem. (14)
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SYLLABUS
Module 1

Mathematical preliminaries - Index notation, Einstein’s summation convention- Kronecker

delta and Levi-Civita symbols, Cartesian basis- Concept of tensor- Tensor as a linear
transformation - Vector as a first order tensor- Coordinate transformation of vectors and
tensors.

Principal values, trace and invariants-Gradient, divergence and curl of vector and tensor
fields- Vector identities-Gauss’ divergence and Stokes’ theorems.

Module 2

Concept of continua- Reference and current configuration- Deformation gradient tensor-

Lagrangian and Eulerian description of motion.

Polar decomposition theorem- Right and left Cauchy Green tensors- Infinitesimal
deformation theory- Linearized strain- Principal strains- Saint Venant’s compatibility
equations

Module 3

Traction- Cauchy stress tensor- Stress component along orthonormal basis vector-
Components of Cauchy stress tensor on any plane.

Principal planes- Principal stress components- Normal and shear stresses- Stress
transformation- Equilibrium equations

Module 4

Balance Laws - Reynold’s transportation theorem- Localization theorem- Lagrangian and

Eulerian forms of equation for mass balance.

Balance of linear momentum equation- Balance of angular momentum- Symmetry of stress

tensor- Balance of energy

Module 5

Constitutive relations - Generalized Hooke’s law for isotropic materials in indicial and matrix
forms- Relation connecting Lame’s constants with Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio and Bulk
modulus.

2D formulation of field equations; Airy’s stress function- Biharmonic equation-Uni axial

tension and pure bending of a beam; End loaded cantilever- Polar coordinates-
Axisymmetric formulation- Lame’s thick cylinder problem- Quarter circle cantilevered beam
with radial load.
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Text Books

1. G. Thomas Mase, George E. Mase.. Ronald E. Smelser. Continuum mechanics for

engineers 3rd ed CRC Press
2. . Lawrence E. Malvern. Introduction to the Mechanics of a Continuous Medium –
Prentice Hall
Reference Books

1. J.H. Heinbockel, Introduction to Tensor Calculus and Continuum Mechanics – Open

Source
2. W. Michael Lai, David Ribin, Erhard Kaempl, Introduction to Continuum Mechanics
4th Ed., Butterworth- Heinemann
3. J. N. Reddy, An Introduction to Continuum Mechanics with applications - Cambridge
University Press
4. Y. C. Fung, A First Course in Continuum Mechanics for Physical and Biological
Engineers and scientists - Prentice Hall
5. Han-Chin W, Continuum mechanics and plasticity - CRC Press
6. Sudhakar Nair, Introduction to Continuum Mechanics – Cambridge University press
7. Morton E. Gurtin, An introduction to continuum mechanics, Academic Press
8. S.P. Timoshenko, J.N. Goodier, Theory of Elasticity, 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill
Publishing

COURSE CONTENTS AND LECTURE SCHEDULE

Sl. No. Topic Number of
lecture hours

1 Index notation, Einstein’s summation convention- Kronecker 2

delta and Levi-Civita symbols

2 Cartesian basis- Concept of tensor- Tensor as a linear 1

transformation - Vector as a first order tensor

3 Coordinate transformation of vectors and tensors. 2

4 Principal values, trace and invariants 2

5 Gradient, divergence and curl of vector and tensor fields 2

6 Vector identities-Gauss’ divergence and Stokes’ theorems. 1

7 Concept of continua- Reference and current configuration, 2

Lagrangian and Eulerian description of motion

8 Deformation gradient tensor, Right and left Cauchy Green 2

tensors
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9 Infinitesimal deformation theory- Linearized strain 2

10 Principal strains 1

11 Polar decomposition theorem 1

12 Saint Venant’s compatibility equations 1

13 Traction- Cauchy stress tensor- Stress component along 2

orthonormal basis vector

14 Components of Cauchy stress tensor on any plane., Normal and 2

shear stresses

15 Principal planes- Principal stress components 2

16 Stress transformation 2

17 Reynold’s transportation theorem- Localization theorem, 1

Introduction on Balance Laws

18 Lagrangian and Eulerian forms of equation for mass balance. 1

19 Balance of linear momentum, equilibrium equations 1

20 Balance of angular momentum, Symmetry of stress tensor 1

21 Balance of energy 1

22 Constitutive relations - Generalized Hooke’s law for isotropic 1

materials in indicial and matrix forms

23 Relation connecting Lame’s constants with Young’s modulus, 1

Poisson’s ratio and Bulk modulus.

24 2D formulation of field equations; Airy’s stress function; 4

Biharmonic equation

25 Uni axial tension and pure bending of a beam; End loaded 1

cantilever

26 Polar coordinates; Axisymmetric formulation 2

27 Lame’s thick cylinder problem 2

28 Quarter circle cantilevered beam with radial load. 2